MARLTON BEAUTY Ashley Harder has resigned as Miss New Jersey USA because she is pregnant, Harder confirmed yesterday. Harder, 20, has informed the Miss Universe Organization, which oversees the pageant. Her first runner-up, Erin Abrahamson, will step in to compete as Miss New Jersey in the Miss USA pageant March 23 in Los Angeles. "It was my decision to resign due to the situation," Harder, a graduate of Camden Catholic High, told us in an interview yesterday. It’s against the rules of Miss USA to compete while pregnant. Harder says she and live-in boyfriend Gregg D’Antonio, 28, are expecting their baby in "late summer." They are planning to wed, but are taking things "one step at a time," Harder said. D’Antonio owns Trig Snowboarding, a snowboarding apparel company. Harder is part of the CW Philly 57 Crew, appearing on air, and also working as a Channel 57 (WPSG-TV) community ambassador. She was crowned Miss New Jersey USA in October in what was her first beauty pageant. This has been an unusual year for the Miss USA organization. Last month, Miss Nevada Katie Rees was dethroned after photos of her exposing her breasts and kissing another girl popped up on online gossip sites. And last month, Miss USA Tara Conner entered rehab at Wernersville’s Caron Foundation after admitting to underage drinking, after media reports surfaced about her alleged drug and alcohol abuse and sxual indiscretions. "This isn’t another scandal. This is a baby; this is a life," Harder said when asked if she was worried her pregnancy would be treated as scandal, in light of Rees and Conner. Harder says being a mom "is a title I have always wanted and will always cherish." Harder began her modeling career while in high school, where she was a National Honor Society student. She moved to New York after graduating in 2004 to work as a model. She’s traveled to Japan and appeared in ads for Pepsi and Versace, among others. She’ll be cheering for Abrahamson to represent New Jersey in the Miss USA pageant in March. Abrahamson, 22, is a senior at Montclair State, and also an aspiring singer. The Miss Universe Organization could not be reached for comment.

Brigitte Nielsen was banished to the B-List during the second episode of ‘Surreal Life Fame Games,’ but, according to host Robin Leach, it was her choice. "Regrettably Brigitte deliberately lost the contest," said Leach. "We called it sabotage." The contest, called "Back to Reality," is a portion of the show in which three cast members compete to see who will be moved to the B-List. Episode 2’s challenge was "What is Charo Saying?" and during her last turn, Nielsen didn’t even attempt to answer and was banished to the B-List along with Traci Bingham. So, why would Nielsen deliberately lose the contest and be sent to a shabby part of the house? According to Leach, it was so she could be with Chyna Doll. "At the time, we thought she was just being pouty and difficult," Leach said. "But, as we later discovered, she preferred the company of Chyna over that of the others." Leach says there is much more to the affair between Brigitte and Chyna, which will heat up in upcoming episodes. Stay tuned …